Macroeconomic Indicators

Overview

Macroeconomic indicators measure aggregate economic performance. They divide into leading (predict future), coincident (reflect current), and lagging (confirm past) indicators. Understanding these helps contextualize business decisions within the broader economic environment.

Framework

IRON LAW: Leading, Coincident, or Lagging — Know Which Type

GDP growth is LAGGING — by the time it's published, the economy has already
changed. Stock markets and PMI are LEADING — they predict future direction.
Unemployment is LAGGING — it rises after a recession starts.

Using a lagging indicator to predict the future is looking in the rearview mirror.
Match the indicator type to your analysis purpose.

Key Indicators

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Type: Lagging
Measures: Total economic output
Key signals: 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth = technical recession
Taiwan: Published quarterly by DGBAS

Inflation (CPI/PPI)

Type: Coincident
CPI = consumer prices, PPI = producer prices (leading indicator for CPI)
Target: Most central banks target ~2%
Taiwan: CPI published monthly by DGBAS

Unemployment Rate

Type: Lagging
Natural rate varies by country (~3.5-4% for Taiwan)
Watch U-3 (official) vs broader measures that include underemployment

Interest Rates

Central bank policy rate (台灣央行重貼現率)
Raising rates → slows economy, fights inflation, strengthens currency
Lowering rates → stimulates economy, risks inflation, weakens currency

Exchange Rate

TWD/USD, TWD/JPY, TWD/CNY for Taiwan-centric analysis
Depreciation → exports cheaper but imports more expensive
Watch real effective exchange rate (REER) for trade competitiveness

PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index)

Type: Leading
Above 50 = expansion, below 50 = contraction
Published monthly, available before GDP data

Indicator Relationships

Central bank raises rates
  → Borrowing costs rise
    → Consumer spending slows + Business investment slows
      → GDP growth slows
        → Unemployment rises (with lag)
          → Inflation falls (the goal)

Analysis Steps

Gather current data for 5-6 key indicators
Classify each as leading/coincident/lagging
Identify trends (improving, stable, deteriorating)
Check for divergence (leading indicators pointing different direction from lagging = inflection point)
Assess implications for the specific business/industry context

Output Format

# Macroeconomic Assessment: {Country/Region}

## Indicator Dashboard
| Indicator | Current | Previous | Trend | Type |
|-----------|---------|----------|-------|------|
| GDP Growth | X% | X% | ↑/↓/→ | Lagging |
| CPI Inflation | X% | X% | ↑/↓/→ | Coincident |
| Unemployment | X% | X% | ↑/↓/→ | Lagging |
| Policy Rate | X% | X% | ↑/↓/→ | — |
| PMI | XX | XX | ↑/↓/→ | Leading |
| Exchange Rate | X.XX | X.XX | ↑/↓/→ | — |

## Economic Phase
{Expansion / Peak / Contraction / Trough}

## Key Signals
- Leading indicators suggest: {direction}
- Divergence: {if any — e.g., PMI falling while GDP still positive = slowdown ahead}

## Business Implications
- For {industry}: {specific impact}

Examples

Correct Application

Scenario: Taiwan macro assessment Q4 2025

Indicator	Value	Signal
GDP Growth	3.2% YoY	Solid but decelerating from 4.1%
CPI	2.1%	Near target, stable
Unemployment	3.6%	Near full employment
Policy Rate	2.0%	Held steady for 3 quarters
PMI	48.5	Below 50 — leading indicator of slowdown

Diagnosis: GDP looks healthy (lagging) but PMI signals contraction ahead. The economy is likely at or near peak phase ✓

Incorrect Application

"GDP grew 3.2% last quarter, so the economy will grow next quarter too" → GDP is lagging. PMI at 48.5 suggests otherwise. Violates Iron Law: using lagging indicator to predict future.

Gotchas

Headline vs core inflation: Headline CPI includes volatile food and energy. Core CPI excludes them. Central banks focus on core for policy decisions.
Real vs nominal: Always specify. "GDP grew 5%" — nominal or real? Real GDP adjusts for inflation and shows true growth.
Seasonal adjustment: Unemployment, retail sales, and many indicators are seasonally adjusted. Compare adjusted-to-adjusted, never adjusted-to-raw.
Taiwan-specific: Taiwan's economy is heavily export-dependent. TSMC's revenue guidance is arguably a better leading indicator for Taiwan than generic PMI.
Data revision: Initial GDP estimates are revised 2-3 times. Don't overreact to first releases.

References

For business cycle theory, see the econ-business-cycle skill
For Taiwan-specific economic data sources, see references/taiwan-data-sources.md

econ-macro-indicators